Environment

DIY Beeswax Wraps

Forestwood

They are super expensive in the shops but easy to make by yourself. They help us reduce our plastic use and are way better for the environment.

We all want to reduce our plastic use, and cling wrap is pretty lethal as far as plastics goes.

It is made of petrochemicals, is actually toxic to the environment and looks like jellyfish, so marine animals try to eat it leading to suffocation or death from intestinal blockages.

whale choking on plastic

And cling wrap is, by and large, unnecessary.

Folks have lived without Cling/Glad wrap for centuries, haven’t they? The alternative is to use something more organic and natural – a Beeswax Wrap.

natural alternative to cling wrap

Eliminate Cling Wrap – Make a Beeswax Wrap

To make a Beeswax Wrap, all you need is:

  • 1-2 bars of Beeswax – (from your hardware shop)
  • Fabric the size you want the wrap – plain cotton or calico is best
  • A kitchen grater – best to use one you don’t use every day
  • Greaseproof naking non stick paper
  • An Iron
  • Old Teatowels
  • Cardboard

How to Make a Beeswax Wrap

  1. Trim the edge of your fabric with Pinking Shears
  2. On the Ironing Board, lay down a piece of thick cardboard and top it with a layer of non-stick baking paper slightly larger than your fabric piece
  3. Lay the fabric down on top of the paper
  4. Grate the bar of Beeswax and spread evenly over the fabric
  5. Lay a second sheet of the baking paper to cover the fabric
  6. Cover with an old Teatowel
  7. Iron evenly across the size of the fabric ensuring you cross over all edges.
  8. Allow to cool
  9. Peel away the baking paper.

Your beeswax wrap is ready for use. It is that easy!

Recycling/Upcycling Ideas

Use up excess fabric or scraps of cotton to make beeswax wraps

Cut up a cotton shirt/ outfit you no longer wear, checking first that the material has no toxic dyes, so cotton is best.

Calico for making the Beeswax Wraps can be Tie Dyed. Make fun designs using string, rubber bands and non-toxic dyes. A great activity with the kids.

Tie Dye fabric

Other Alternatives to Using Cling Wrap

  • Use a washable container with lid. (Even if it is a plastic lid at least it can be reused hundreds of times before disposal)
  • Cover with damp or dry, tea towel
  • Wrap in a washable cloth bag for vegetable/ cold meats – works well with the Christmas ham
  • Wrap seafood and meat in butcher’s paper and place in a reuseable container
natural alternative to cling wrap

Something environmentally friendly to Ponder About

Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

45 thoughts on “DIY Beeswax Wraps”

  1. I want to like beeswax wraps. They go along with everything I believe in. But I just don’t get on with them. The ones I bought (yes, sadly, bought not made) at vast expense sit unused after almost no outings. I can’t rid them of smells of cheese, for instance, and find them really hard to clean if they get soiled. Instead I’ve gone over to using glass containers for almost everything, even buying some for those otherwise awkwardly shaped things – like cheese.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That is a point, Margaret. Smelly cheeses could transfer to the fabric. How do you wash them? Hot soapy water and kitchen detergent? I wonder what would happen if you put them in the washing machine? Cold wash, of course.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. That’s a thought. Actually perhaps I could put them on the washing line to have a good blow for 24 hours or so. I’ll try that It’s raining now, which could be extra-good – thanks for making me think about it a bit more!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I’ve never used beeswax wraps before. It’s good to know how to DIY. I cna see this being useful for take-away sandwiches and snacks.
    I rarely use cling wrap these days. I prefer to use reusable covered containers. They’re often more compact and stackable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well done to you for being environmentally conscious, Sandy. Beeswax wraps are perfect for wrapping sandwiches, rolls and well ‘wraps’ too!
      I find it hard to believe they do the job so well at keeping things fresh even though they are not sealed airtight. It goes to show that cutting out all the air isn’t always the only way to prevent food spoilage: in terms of aerobic bacteria or is it anaerobic bacteria – the type that causes food to spoil…?

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  3. I grew up with damp tea towels and butcher’s paper. Then Saranwrap appeared and slowly those old ways of doing things went by the wayside. I’ve never heard of a beeswax wrap. Most interest.

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    1. I’m not sure where the concept originated from Ally. But it is a good one, no doubt. You just wrap the beeswax around whatever object you want to cover – glass bowl, fruit, avocado etc and mould a little with your hands. It sticks to the shape. Ot doesn’t seal airtight and I wouldn’t use it with meat or fish but everything else is okay. It’s amazingly simple and so natural. Are you going to try to make one?

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      2. Just ask me if you are not sure of anything. There have been some things mentioned in the comments that may be relevant – such as how to clean them etc.

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  5. I’ve seen these at our outdoor farmers market. Thought seriously about getting a couple as I agree wholeheartedly about our over use of plastic. Appreciate the directions. I wonder how often you can use the beeswax wraps?

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    1. As much as you like and last forever. If they get too crinkly, just iron them again and if by chance the wax breaks down and some comes off, just sprinkle on some more beeswax and iron again. Good as new.

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  6. I didn’t know beeswax bars can be bought at a hardware store !
    You could utilize Spoonflower designs and make these to add to your sale items, no ?

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    1. These designs you see in the photos, are my spoonflower fabric test swatches. I print off and they are the perfect size to wrap an avocado or cut tomato/cucumber/cheese or sandwich with. The avocado doesn’t even go brown even though it is not airtight! Amazing! I would have to sell these privately as Spoonflower just sells fabric and some selected items of home decor at ridiculous prices. I actually approached Spoonflower, a month or so ago, to check if their fabrics were organically dyed and they told me noone had used them for beeswax wraps before. A week or so later a feature appeared on their site, mentioning DIY wraps! I wonder where the idea came from, hey?!

      Liked by 1 person

      2. That is not my style, M-R. I don’t like any kind of infringement of copyright but in this instance, I am happy they spread awareness of a diy project that helps the environment. After all, it wasn’t my idea originally. In fact, many ideas are borrowed and piggy backed off other people’s ideas, aren’t they?

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    1. I wondered who came up with this idea too, Art. Perhaps it derived from oilskin and leather products making them waterproof and the cowboys and swagmen travelling the country side?

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  8. I have one of these that my daughter kindly bought for me, I plan on making a whole range of sizes for whatever I need. Bi carb in an open jar in the fridge is great for dealing with odors(I just change it if odors sneak back in) & I wonder if sprinkling bi carb directly on the wraps would help. I would love to use surf wax if I could the fridge would smell like the beach take me back to my surfing days. lol

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  9. Awesome! Some people add jojoba oil or some kind of natural resin to the wax, but you don’t need to do that. As I said in another comment, I wash mine with hot soapy water and dishwashing detergent and leave them to air dry. If the wax cracks too much from use, just run over it again with the iron. If there is a bald spot where there is no wax on the wrap when you make it, just sprinkle on some more grated wax and iron again. Very simple and forgiving. Goodbye cling wrap!

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    1. I can recommend them for wrapping fruit and vegetables like Avocado, pumpkin and cucumber. I haven’t tried them with celery yet. Also great for muffins or sandwiches to take to ear at work and leftovers. (Not meat or fish). I wash them with dishwashing detergent and hot water and leave them to air dry. They last for ages. Do try them.

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  11. I have seen beeswax wraps at selected organic shops, and like you, I balked at the price! And as I didn’t know anyone who used them, I have not ventured to try.

    But now that I see your recipe (do-able, and I do have most of the ingredients and materials from candle-making previously) and read the conversations going on, I will ask Younger Daughter to try this as a craft project.

    Again, thank you for stimulating conversation & action!

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    1. I hope that you will post them so I can see what you come up with. With Creative Younger Daughter, the sky is the limit! Did you make many candles? I have always wanted to try that.

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      1. Older Daughter made candles for a season some 5 years ago. Scented ones, shaped ones. When she was growing up, she had a great fascination with candle wax and used to roll them into all sorts of shapes. I guess making them was a natural progression.

        Of course we never throw away anything in our household so maybe it is Younger Daughter’s turn to craft with wax.

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      2. A zero waste blogger!! I dislike wasteful practices, Ju-Lyn, for environmental reasons. So I can empathize. I also try to re-home things as we cannot hope to use every single thing we have, make or buy, even though we might want to do so. Good luck to younger daughter in her crafts. I hope she has fun and continues the family tradition.

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    1. You can use it anywhere you would use cling wrap. To wrap cut fruit or veges, a lemon/avocado you want to use later, leftover food except meat or fish. Wrap cheese. etc

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  14. I’ve been trying to find alternatives to my plastic use and I’ve heard of beeswax wraps before but never thought of trying to make them. Thank you so much for sharing this!!

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